Unit Name: | No. 128 Squadron RAF |
Dates: | 1 February 1918 – 4 July 1918 7 October 1941 – 8 March 1943 5 September 1944 – 31 March 1946 |
Branch: | Royal Air Force |
Garrison Label: | Base |
Motto: | Latin Fulminis Instar |
Colors Label: | post 1950 aircraft insignia |
Identification Symbol: | In front of an ogress a shuttle in hand |
Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron heraldry |
Identification Symbol 2: | WG (October 1941 – March 1943) M5 (September 1944 – March 1946) |
Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Squadron Codes |
No. 128 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron briefly existed in the later stages of the First World War without seeing operational service. It was reformed as a fighter squadron in the Second World War in West Africa, tasked with the aerial defence of RAF bases and stations in Sierra Leone from 1941 to 1943 before being disbanded. It was later reestablished as a pathfinder squadron in Bomber Command.
No. 128 Squadron was formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps in February 1918 and subsequently became a unit of the Royal Air Force. It was disbanded after six months of existence, without having become operational.During the Second World War, the squadron was reformed at Hastings, Sierra Leone, in October 1941 from a flight of Hawker Hurricane fighters belonging to No. 95 Flying-Boat Squadron. Bearing the squadron code 'WG' and commanded by Squadron Leader Billy Drake, it was tasked with the defence of the RAF stations and bases in the area. It saw few engagements and was disbanded in March 1943.
It was reformed in September 1944 at Wyton with de Havilland Mosquito light bombers as part of the Light Night Striking Force. It served in this capacity until April 1946, at which time it was re-designated as No. 14 Squadron.
Oct 1941 | Jan 1943 | Mk I | ||
Nov 1942 | Mar 1943 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk IIB | |
Sep 1944 | Nov 1944 | XX | ||
Oct 1944 | Nov 1944 | de Havilland Mosquito | XXV | |
Oct 1944 | Mar 1946 | de Havilland Mosquito | XVI |